The Foundation for the Development of Agusanons, Inc. (FDAI) has been implementing a project dubbed as Fisheries Sustainability Interventions, one of several components of a major program titled Self-Help Approach – Children-Focused Community Development. Funded by Kindernothilfe Germany/Philippines, the program is implemented in the Municipalities of San Francisco, Talacogon, and La Paz in the Province of Agusan del Sur. The Fisheries Sustainability Interventions project aims to address the lingering problem on loss of fisheries productivity due to climate change and illegal harvesting activities. One major objective of the project is the declaration of fish sanctuaries in some lakes within Agusan Marsh.
On February 16, 2018; FDAI hands over equipment (e.g. cameras, boots, raincoats) and livelihood assistance to the Bantay Danao of Barangays La Flora, Maharlika, and Sabang Gibong of the Municipality of Talacogon and Barangay Adgawan of the Municipality of La Paz. The livelihood assistance takes the form of canoes and fishing gears; which were decided after long discussions between and among the Cluster Level Associations, the Bantay Danao Members, Barangay Local Government Units, and FDAI. The logic of the assistance was that it is not enough to provide protection equipment and gadgets to Bantay Danao Members because these could not make them stay long in fishing areas. On the average, they could only patrol the fishing areas to scare off or catch illegal fishers twice a month and only for a few hours. When they have canoes and fishing gears, Bantay Danao Members could well be in the fishing areas most of the time as they could go fishing while on the look out for those who use electric fishing gears, those who use obnoxious substances, and other destructive fishing methods.
Seeing the appropriateness of the intervention and acknowledging the important roles of Bantay Danao Members, Talacogon Mayor Jesryl Masendo through Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Michael Sabacajan committed to look for ways to institutionalize support to the group. One immediate response of the Municipal Government was the decision to enroll all Bantay Danao Members to Accident Benefits Insurance with Philippine National Red Cross.
FDAI Board Secretary Elizabeth D. Gilot, far right, Sabang Gibong Barangay Captain Felipa Goloran, center, and Mercy Quipit, far left, signing the Multi-Partite Agreement detailing roles and responsibilities of each party, including those of the Bantay Danao.
Bantay Danao Member promising to protect the fishing areas of the community.